Grayfield: Gears

Looking back down at the now charred and burnt corpse of the spider, Helios’s grin disappeared as he heaved a huge sigh of relief.

Everyone also took a huge sigh of relief.

Theodore and William walked up to everyone. Theodore waved at them as he came closer.

“Hey guys, I’m guessing that the thing that burned over there is the spider.” Theoore said. “Am I right?”

Pyry nodded. “You are correct, that is indeed the body of the spider.”

William smiled. “Well now that that’s done, what do we do now?”

Dolian tilted his head as he looked at him. “Huh, now that you mention it, What do we do now?”

“Getting back to Grayfield.” A voice from behind William suddenly said.

And on instinct, William grabbed one of his daggers and aimed it at the neck of the person from behind him.

But before his blade could connect, the unknown person from behind suddenly blocked it using the sheath of his sword.

“Not impressed.” The voice said. “And I expected more from you, William. Considering the fact that you fought Nyx.”

Now that William was looking at the person that was behind him earlier, he quickly realized who he was.

“P-professor Wilhelm!?!” William said as he quickly dropped hi dagger that was being blocked by Wilhelm’s sheath.

“Who?” Dolian asked.

“Wilhelm von Alfhild, he’s a professor from Grayfield formerly known as the Dragonhearth, Dragon Hunter or Dragon Slayer.” Blake said to Dolian, he quickly gae a respectful bow to Wilhelm. “It was an honor meeting you, Dragonhearth.”

Wilhelm nodded, “You can rise now, Blake.”

Yuri looked at Wilhelm. “Wait, how do you know Blake?”

“Of course, I would know about his homeroom teacher and subsequently your homeroom teacher as well.” Wilhelm briefly explained. “Come on now, were all burning daylight over here”

And with that Wilhelm began to climb up the button caverns on the tree and looked down at his students.

“What are all of you waiting for?” Wilhelm said.

Wiliam and his group looked amongst each other unsure of what to do, but all of them decided to follow Wilhelm.

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“Alright, we should rest now.” Wilhelm said as he looked at all of his students who looked absolutely exhausted. “All of you should get used to this.”

“J-just, a minute.” Theodore said as he was on the ground looking completely disheveled while taking heavy breaths.

“Come on, you're a man, you can take this.” Helios said right beside Theodore as disheveled.

“Oh don’t use that term on me!” Theodore shouted at Helios.

“I was just trying to motivate you, what do you expect me to say?” Helios shouted back.

“Oh I don't know, how about ‘don't worry, you can do this!’ How about that?”

As Theodore and Helios continued their arguing, Pyry looked at them wondering whether or not he should interfere. At the same time William looked at Wilhelm as he asked.

“Professor, how long until we reach Grayield?” WIlliam asked.

“Hmm,” Wilhelm hummed as he cupped his chin. “If we continue at this pace we should arrive at Grayfield tomorrow morning.”

“I see.”

“But for now we should set up camp and rest.” WIlhelm said, “William, can you order everyone to start making a camp while I go out hunting for food for all of us.”

William looked at wIlhelm for a moment. “Are you sure Professor? We could also help you hunt for food.”

“Don't bother, you’ll only slow me down.” Wilhelm said as he looked back at William. “Besides, you are all clearly exhausted. You and everyone need to rest.”

William nodded. “Alright, well set up camp and rest. But if you need anything you can call us.”

Wilhelm chuckled as he looked at William.

“Don’t worry, won't be asking for help.” He said before quickly leaving Willian and the other to hunt.

Pyry walked up to WIlliam and asked. “So, what did he asked us to do?”

William looked at Pyry , “Well, he asked us to set up camp and rest, go tell the others while I go surry the perimeter and make sure there aren't any nearby monsters that might attack us.”

Pyry nodded as he quickly letf William to go tell the others of what to do.

William grabbed his two daggers and quickly began to survey the perimeter around their cap making sure that there aren’t any monsters nearby that might attack them.

Moving across the tree lines and jumping around, made William feel refreshed and free.

‘Ugh, I missed this.’ William thought as he was jumping across the tree line.

While he was jumping around the tree line surveying the perimeter, something caught his eye that caused him to stop and watch.

Gently dropping down a single branch and making sure that he doesn't make any sound, he looked down and saw none other than Wilhelm currently crouched down as he analyzed several foot tracks on the ground.

Quickly nodding to himself, Wilhelm quickly stood up and began to follow the foot tracks.

William looked down at Wilhelm, currently debating whether or not he should follow Wilhelm.

But quickly his curiosity got the better of him and he too began to silently follow behind Wilhelm.

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Wilhelm crouched down as he looked at the foot tracks on the ground trying to figure out what species was responsible for the foot tracks.

As he was analyzing the foot tracks, Wilhelm for a small moment felt that something was watching him from above.

‘I’m being watched.’ Wilhelm thought as he sighed. ‘Why couldn’t they listen to my orders?’

Shaking his head Wilhelm stood up and began to follow the foot tracks.

‘Well, it’s not like being followed by one of my students will affect my performance.’ Wilhelm thought as he walked.

As he did he quickly reached to where the foot tracks lead to, a small herd of Charcoal deers.

‘Well, it looks like today is my lucky day.’ Wilhelm thought as he looked at the herd of Charcoal deer.

Charcoal deer, they were called that since their antler is made out of coal, making it so that not only do you get food but also fuel to cook said food.

In short, finding a Charcoal deer is very convenient.

Looking at the deers, WIlhelm began to inspect the surroundings. Aside from the many trees and rocks that surround the area there was nothing of significance that would be a problem for Wilhelm to deal with.

Wilhelm nodded before sighing to himself.

‘Well, before I start I should go and talk to someone who didn't listen to my orders.’ Wilhelm thought to himself as he turned around and looked above him.

“You can come down.” Wilhelm said. “I can see you.”

And with that William dropped down and looked at the unimpressed Wilhelm.

“H-Hey professor.”

“Follow me.” Wilhelm ordered.

“Huh?” William shuttered. “I thought you were going to punish me?”

Wilhelm turned around and looked at William. “Do you want me to personally punish you? Your punishment is to help me hunt.”

“Uh, Ok.” William said as he rubbed his neck. “Alright, helping you hunt. Lead the way.”

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William followed Wilhelm as the two of them descended deeper inside of the forest.

As the two of them walked forward inside of the forest William looked at his teacher and asked.

“Can I ask you something, teacher?” William asked.

“Sure” Wilhelm offhandedly responded.

“About the entrance exam, is it finished?” William asked. The next thing he needs is to be told that he and everyone who was with him failed the test.

“Yes,” Wilhelm answeared. “And all we need to do is to get back to Grayfield in one piece. After that I would personally grade every person that has participated in the entrance exam and decide whether or not they deserve to be inside of the course.”

“Did… we pass?”

WIlhelm said nothing for a few moments before answering. “Yes you did, all of you did.”

William raised one of his fists up high and silently yelled. “Yes!”

“Just make sure to not tell the others. Although all of you did indeed pass, there are some that scored higher inside than others.” Wilhelm said.

William nodded as he knows that with every test, there are bound to be some people that would naturally score higher than others.

The two of them eventually walked to a small cliff that has a small drop. Wilhelm stopped and looked down below him and saw the herd of Charcoal deer.

“Do you know how to hunt?” WIlhelm asked.

William nodded. “Yeah, I do. Why?”

“Consider this a part of your punishment for not listening to my orders. I want to see how you hunt. Do you know the basics when you are hunting for food?”

“Yeah, be silent, be patient, and strike when the opportunity shows itself.” William answered.

“Good, now go.” Wilhelm said.

‘... I dunno, somehow I feel like I’m being used.’ William thought to himself.

Nevertheless William silently dropped down to the ground and quickly hid behind the tall grass and began to slowly approach the herd of Charcoal deer.

Taking very small and precise steps to ensure that he doesn't make as much noise as he normally would.

As William got closer and closer, William was also being watched by Wilhelm who was closely observing his movements.

As Wilhelm was observing William he noticed that there was another thing that was hiding behind the bushes.

‘Would you look at that, it seems like I was right. It looked like there's a wolf hiding there.’ Wilhelm thought.

Back to William, he was now incredibly close to the deers. And as he was preparing to strike the nearest deer.

Something else aside from him that struck first, causing the other deers in the herd to begin running in multiple directions.

Moving quickly William struck the nearest deer near him, making sure to kill the deer instantly. Aside from that he quickly reacted and channeled his magic through his blade and struck the tall grass cutting everything that covered the nearby area.

The thing that attacked the deers first also jumped and dodged William’s attack. William also got a closer look at the thing that attacked the deers first.

It was none other than a wolf, full ashen gray, large fangs and full of many scars.

Noticing the scars that surround the wolf William began to think to himself. ‘Alright, it looked like my opponent had a lot of experience. I need to be careful.’

William looked at the wolf before the wolf suddenly charged forward at William, William also charged forward.

But before the wolf could charge William moved to the side and dodged the attack and aimed both of his dagger at the side of the wolf.

But the wolf quickly reacted and dodged the attack and was also able to kick away one of William’s daggers.

‘That seems bad.’ William thought to himself.

Now with one of his daggers out of his hands, the wolf earnestly began its assault at William and began to relentlessly attack him.

William continually dodged and parried the wolf’s attacks and was able to inflict some cuts at the wolf.

But all those small cuts did was to anger the wolf even further causing it to repeatedly throw itself further at wIlliam.

William was quickly getting himself pushed back, but he was able to get himself pushed back to where his lost dagger should be.

And there it was his dagger.But he couldn’t look at his dagger for long as the wolf continued its relentless assault at William.

And when the wolf attacked William, it had inadvertently created an opening.

Taking the opportunity, William used his dagger that was on his left hand and stabbed it at the wolf that attacked him.

The wolf quickly stopped its assault and retreated while looking at William making sure that he didn't attack any further.

Luckily for the wolf William doesn't want to attack the wolf just yet.

Quickly retrieving his dropped dagger, William looked at the wolf.

The wolf in turn began to howl.

‘That seems bad.’ William thought.

“Yes, it is indeed bad.” Wilhelm said right behind him.

“Processor, what are you doing here?!?” William said.

‘Personally watching you.” Wilhelm responded. “Also, behind you.”

William quickly dodged to the right and quickly looked at the wolf.

The large wolf lunged at Wilhelm. Wilhelm responds by using the sheath of his sword and strikes the wolf on its head.

As Wilhelm struck the wolf, Willia quickly reacted and stabbed the wolf in its body. The wolf responds by turning its head and attempting to bite William.

Quickly moving out of the wolf’s teeth, William carefully looked at the wolf.

‘Alright, the wolf seems reasonably injured enough to the point I can say that I have the advantage in this fight.’ William thought to himself, ‘So long as I don’t make any huge mistakes I'll be fine.’

As William and the wolf circled each other, the wolf saw something and immediately charged at William.

William responded by easily blocking the wolf’s attack. But right behind him another wolf came up and bit him in the arm.

‘Ugh! Dammi!’ William thought.

But before the now two wolves could press their advantage, William was saed by Wilhelm who used his sheath sword to hit the wolf on its head. Causing the wolf to release its hold onto William’s arm.

Quickly looking at William’s bitten arm Wilhelm sighed as he looked at William.

“Lesson learned. Be mindful of your surroundings.” Wilhelm said.

William nodded as he looked back at the wolf and smiled a little.

“I-I understand.” William said.

Wilhelm nodded as he looked at the wolf and finally held onto his sheathed sword preparing to unsheathe it and attack the wolf.

“Good, I trust that you can deal with this one wolf William. I’ll handle its pack.” Wilhelm said as he looked and faced a pack of wolves along with the one that he earlier struck with his sheath, all of the wolves looked at Wilhelm as if he was their prey.

As Wilhelm fought the Wolf's pack all on his own, William was facing the leader of the pack.

‘Alright, I just got bitten by a wolf. I’ll have Theodore treat my injury later.’ William thought as he attacked the wolf.

The wolf responded by moving away before immediately attacking William. William reacted quickly by dodging the attacks and attacking back.

William was able to score a few attacks and injure the wolf a little.

The wolf attacked wIlliam agan and used its sharp claws to strike Wiliam.

‘What do I do now, William thought as he looked at the wolf, ‘Were both reasonably injured and tired. I need to finish this before I collapse.’

It was then that WIlliam quickly moved and began to attack the wolf. The wolf didn’t sit idly by and take those hits, it dodged and tried to attack William again, only for William to quickly dodge those attacks and attack the wolf.

As Wlliam sent his endless barrage at the wolf. He was able to score some reasonable good hits such as injuring the wolf's feet causing it to slow down significantly.

William was able to gain the upper hand against the wolf and land the finishing blow by hitting the wolf on its head and using his blade to behead the wolf.

“Hah, hah, That was exhausting.” William said as he took heavy breaths.

Behind him Wilhelm clapped at William. “I’m impressed you were able to take down that wolf all on your own. Especially since that wolf was a variant of the winter wolves. You should be proud.” Wilhelm congratulated.

Wiliam looked at Wilhelm for a moment and smiled. Wilhelm closed his eyes for a moment and sighed. “You should rest for a moment, come here and show me your injury,” he ordered.

William walked towards him and showed Wilhelm his injury. Wilhelm took out a bandage from the bag that he was carrying and used it on William’s injury.

“I didn’t know that you know how to treat an injury professor.” WIlliam said.

“I’m not doing much, you know.” Wilhelm responded. “All I’m doing is applying some first aid treatment. Besides, you're also going to learn how to apply first aid treatment. Trust me more people are saved from first aid treatment.”

As Wilhelm finished talking he was able to apply the bandage on Wilhelms injury and looked at him for a moment.

“Alright, that should suffice for now. Later you should have Theodore look at your injuries. For now you should rest there oer at that rock while I prepare what we're going to be bringing back to the camp.” Wilhelm said to William as he pointed at a rock.

William nodded as he leaned oer at the rock that Wilhelm pointed towards and sat down leaning at the rock.

At the same time, Wilhelm walked towards the dead Charcoal deer that William killed and began to remove any of the unwanted parts of the deer. He also went to all of the wolves that he killed and quickly began to skin them.

Eventually Wilhelm finished all of that and looked towards William. “William, can you carry this?” Wilhelm said as he pointed at a single large bag.

William looked at the bag and nodded.

“I should be able to.” William said.

Wilhelm nodded. “Alright, come on now, let's get back to your friends.” he said.

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